Tie



4, 1948. H. c. COOKMAN TIE Filed D60. 17, 1946 INVEN TOR.

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Patentecl Aug. 24, 1948 TIE Helen Cramp Cookman, New York, N. Y., assignor to Mary Ellen Cookman, New York, N. Y.

ApplicationDecember 17, 1946, Serial No. 716,820

8 Claims.

This invention relates to ties for personal adornment, and more particularly to pre tied bow ties.

In the past various types of pro-tied bow ties have been produced. One type consisted of a bow portion which was assembled or folded and sewed against unfolding, this bow portion being secured to an elastic neck band which had hook means for removably securing the tie in place on a collar.

Another form of pre-tied bow tie consisted of a bow portion which was secured to a support or clip having arms which extended under the tabs of the collar of a wearer, and having a clasp for engagement with the collar button to anchor thetie. Still another, later type of tie consisted of a bow portion which was secured to a clip having a pair of clamps for clamping to the tabs of the wearers collar, the clip also having arms or prongs which extended through. openings in the bow portion and were permanently sewed. to the latter against removal therefrom, saidarms being actuators for the clamps to open and close the same. This later type of tie has recently come into popularity, and is relatively easy and convenient to secure in place and to remove, presenting an attractive appearance-and one which makes it ditficult for an observer to ascertain whether or not the tie is of the pre-tied variety.

All of the above bow ties, while possessing certain advantages, had a common disadvantage in that, due to the permanence of their assemblage, they could not be readily cleaned and pressed, es-

pecially by washing or laundering. Therefore:

after a period of use and when the tiebecame soiled it had to be discarded and a new tie purchased. A further disadvantage has resided inv the relatively complicated and costly assemblage involved in folding and tying the bow portion.

According to the present invention these disadvantages and drawbacks of prior pie-tied bows are overcome. This is accomplished by the provision of a novel constructionand arrangement of the fabric bow-forming portion of thetie, in cooperation with the supporting clip which secures the bow portion to the collar of a wearer, the said construction being such that the bow portion may be easily and conveniently removed from the clip and unwrapped and unfolded, the said portion being thereby extendable into a basic shape having the form of a relatively narrow fabric strip. Thisstrip may therefore be readily cleaned and pressed, either'by a dry cleaning method or by washing with soap and water and subsequently drying and ironing. Upon cleaning and ironing of the unfolded strip it may be again folded to form a bow and the supporting clip quickly'an'd conveniently again attached to it. The arrangement is such that the clip not only supports the bow portion of the tie but also holds the folded and knot parts thereof in their assembled or tied positions against unwrapping and unfolding.

Thus the invention provides a pro-tied bow tie which need not be'discarded after it has become soiled. but instead may-be repeatedly and effectively cleaned and pressed without difficulty.

Also by the organization employed the bow portion of the tie may be economically fabricated, and the-assembly operation involving the forming of the bow andtheattaching of the supporting clip may be quickly carried out, with little labor cost.

A feature of the invention resides in the fact that a user if he so desires may employ but a single clip with any of a variety of diiierent bow portions, those bow portions which are not in use being available for cleaning or laundering and. when again ready for use being easily foldable into bow shape and attachable to the clip at the time that the tie is to be Worn.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated herein. the bowportionof the tie consists of a strip formed of layers of fabric material, the strip having opposite, symmetrical, fluted longitudinal edges so arranged that when the strip is folded along a pair of transverse fold lines the well-knownflbutterfly shape of bowls obtained.

Near one" end: of the: strip at the narrow por-' tion thereof'a pair of spaced button holes is provided, and adjacent the button holes one end of a knot-forming band is secured to the strip, the band extending laterally of the strip and at its other end being flared and having a pair of similarly spaced button holes. When the strip is folded along the fold'lines to form the bow, the knot-forming band may be wrapped around the folded strip in such a manner that the button holes thereof respectively overlie and align with the button holes of the strip. With the bow por tion so arranged. theprongs of the supporting clip, which are pivotally mounted and swlngable,

may be respectively inserted in the pairs of aligned button holes so as to extend into the wings of the formed bow. Thisassembly operation may be easily and quickly carried out, and therefore reduces the labor cost of the assembly.

The. prongs of the clip, by extending through the pairs of aligned button holes, prevent the knot-forming band from'unwrapping and thereby prevent the bow-forming strip from unfolding, and hold the bow in its given shape. In addition, the formed bow is firmly secured to the clip for support thereby.

The arrangement of the bow-forming strip and knot-forming band is such that the parts thereof may be provided with the button holes prior to their being assembled and prior to the securing of the band to the strip, by the usual rapid button-hole forming operations.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings, showing a specific embodiment of the invention:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the bow-forming strip and attached knot-forming band in extended condition wherein these parts may be readily cleaned or laundered.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a supporting clip for use with the piece of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the bow-forming strip folded to the shape of a bow, the knot-forming band being partially wrapped around the folded strip.

Fig. 4 is a view like Fig. 3 but with the knotforming band completely wrapped around the folded strip, the button holes of the band respectively overlying and aligning with the button holes of the strip, and

Fig. 5 is a view like Fig. 4 but with the supporting clip attached to the bow, the prongs of the clip extendingthrough the pairs of aligned button holes and being received into the wings of the bow. v

Referring to Fig. 1, the improved bow tie of the present invention comprises a strip Ill formed of fabric material suitable for the use in ties. As is usual in the making of ties, the-strip In preferably consists of two sections or layers of fabric, one superposed on the other, the edge portions of the layers being'folded inward and secured together by stitches in the well-known manner. The strip l0 may have various shapes, one found to be particularly advantageous and producing the well-known butterfly tie being that shown wherein the opposite longitudinal edges of the strip are fluted, providing a plurality of narrow portions II, and alternating therewith a plurality of wide portions l2. The strip I!) also has pointed ends l3 and is of such size and shape that it may be zigzag folded several times at the two innermost wide portions |2 thereof along transverse fold lines indicated by the broken lines l4 so as to form a bow, as clearly shown in Fig. 3.

Near one end and at a narrow portion II of the strip it a pair of button holes 15 is provided, the button holes being preferably formed in but one of the fabric sections of the strip and extending transversely thereof in spaced relation as shown in Fig. l.

Between the button holes l5, one end It of a knot-forming band I! is secured, as by rows |8 of stitches, the band being extendable laterally 0f the strip as shown in Fig. 1, and flaring outwardly at its other end H3. The length of the knot-forming band I! is such, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, that when the strip in is folded on itself to form the how the band may be wrapped to encircle the latter once, the flared end I9 of the band overlying the pair of button holes it] of the strip. A second pair of similarly spaced button holes 20 is provided in the flared end IQ of the knot-forming band, the button holes 20 extending longitudinally of the band and being located to respectively overlie and become aligned with 4 the button holes l5 when the strip H1 is folded and the band i! wrapped around it, as indicated in Fig. 4.

There is provided by this construction, according to the invention, a novel organization and assemblage by which the folded strip l0 and Wrapped encircling band ll may be quickly and easily secured in their given positions, shown in Fig. l, and attached to a supporting clip such as the clip 2| shown in Fig. 2, to be mounted thereby on the collar of a wearer.

As shown, the clip 2| is of a well-known type and comprises an elongate body portion 22 having a pair of oppositely extending clamping fingers 23 cooperable respectively with a second pair of clamping fingers 24 which latter are integral with each other and form a continuous strip 25 extending along and under the body portion 22. The strip 25, which is resilient, at its center has a bowed or curved portion 26 which engages a pair of in-folded tabs 21 of the body portion 22 of the clip to effect a fulcruming action thereon. Actuation of the clamping fingers 24 is accomplished by a pair of arms or prongs 23 which are pivotally mounted in apertured ears 29 formed integral with the body portion 22 of the clip, the arms having transversely extending lugs 36 which engage the undersurfaces of the clamping fingers 24 and are adapted to force the latter against the fingers 23 when the prongs 28 are swung outwardly or away from each other to aligning positions.

In accordance with the invention the arms or prongs 28 of the clip 2| are insertedin the pairs of aligned button holes i5, 20 and retained against'inadvertent removal by being extended in opposite directions into the wing portions 3| of the folded strip U as shown in Fig. 5. By this action the flared end l9 of the knot-forming band I! is secured against unwrapping, being held in close engagement with the portion of the strip IE! adjacent the button holes l5 thereof, while at the same time the entire bow assemblage is secured to the clip 2| for support thereby.

It. will be seen that the operation of inserting the pivotally mounted prongs 28 in the aligned button holes I5, 20 may be quickly and easily carried out, and that no stitches or other fastening means need be employed as was heretofore necessary. Therefore the assembling of the tie, comprising the folding of the strip l0 and the wrapping of the band l'l' around the strip, together with the applying of the clip 2|, may be done very quickly and conveniently, and represents a very small labor cost.

When the tie is to be worn by a wearer the clip 2| is applied to the collar so that the clamping fingers 23, 24 thereof clip the opposite sides of the tabs of the collar. In applying the clip to the collar, the prongs 28 are first swung inwardly to the position shown in Fig. 2 whereupon the cooperable clamping fingers are spread apart, providing clearance and facilitating the entry of the tabs therebetween. When the tie has been properly positioned on the collar the wings 3| of the tie are pressed backwardly against the collar, this movement spreading or swinging apart the arms or prongs 28 and forcing the cooperating clamping fingers 23, 2 together to firmly grasp the collar tabs and hold the tie in place. A locking action takes place when the prongs 28 are so shifted, so that the tie is securely held and prevented from inadvertently becoming loose.

It will be seen that by the present invention there is provided a bow tie, the bow and knot of which may be readily removed from the supporting clip. therefor andlunwrapped andunfolded. When this is done, producingthe piece shownin Fig. 1, the tie may be readily cleanedand' refreshed as by dry cleaning and pressing,.'or laundering and pressing. As a result, whenever the tie becomes soiled it need not be discarded, as was heretofore necessary. 1

If desired, a wide variety of different bowforming pieces'may be usedwith a single clip 21, those not in use being available for cleaning by the simple procedure outlinedabove. Whena user desires to wear a clean tie, he merely takes one of the pieces and folds the strip thereof into a bow, wraps the knot-forming band I! around the folded strip,'andthen inserts the prongs of the supporting clip through the aligned button holes, whereupon the tie is ready for wear.

The fabrication of the tie of the present invention may be carried out very economically. For instance, prior to the sewingtogether-of the two fabric'sections forming thestrip l0, one of the fabric sections may be provided in the wellknown manner with the pair of button holes l5. Considering the knot-forming band I! the two fabric sections forming this may first be sewed together and then the button holes 20 formed in the flared end of the band. The small end of the band I! may then be sewed to the fabric sections of the strip I'll in the proper location as indicated, the said sections having first been sewed together along their edges in the usual way.

It will be seen that the assembly of the bow tie of the present invention in no way involves any of the time-consuming hand-sewing operations which were previously resorted to, to secure the knot-forming band in place around the folded strip [0 and to secure the clip 2| to the bow assemblage.

An alternative method of assembling the tie of the present invention is as follows: First, the prongs 28 of the clip 2! may be inserted in th button holes 20 of the flared end portion l9 of the knot-forming band. Then the strip It] may be zigzag folded to form the bow, whereupon the band I1 is wrapped around the folded strip and the prongs 28 of the clip inserted in the button holes l and extended into the wings of the tie. Either of the above methods of assembly may be carried out quickly and with little difficulty.

If desired, the button holes l5 may be formed in both fabric layers of the strip ill, so as to provide apertures entirely through the strip, in which case the tie is reversible so that either side of the strip may be made the outside, depending on the way it is folded.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of this invention and portions of the improvements may be used Without others.

I claim:

1. A bow-forming piece for a bow tie, comprising a strip folded on itself to form a bow of superposed folds, the portion of the strip forming the top fold being apertured intermediate its ends; and a knot-forming band stitched to said strip adjacent the aperture and extending laterally therefrom, said band being apertured near its free end and being positioned for wrapping around the folded strip to bring the apertures of the band and strip into proximate alignment to receive and be retained in position by arms of a supporting device.

12th bow-forming piece fora bow tie, counties ing a strip of fabric foldable on itselfto .fol'ni a-bow' andxhaving a Dair'of spaced openings in termediate its: ends; and a knotdormingband securedrto said strip between said openings and extendingelaterally therefrom, said band having near its'f'ree end a flared and provided with a pair of similarly spaced openings, and being post tioned for wrapping around the folded strip to bring'the openings of the band and strip into proximate alignment to receive and 'be retained in position by arms of a supporting device.

A bow-forming piece for a bowtie, compris ingla strip. of'fabric folded onitse'lf to form a bow of superposed folds, said strip having a pair of spacedbdtton holes near one end and in only the top'fold of the fabric; and a; knot-forming fabric bandhaviug one end securedto said strip adjacent the button holes thereof and extending laterallytlierefrom, said band having nearits other end .a pair of similarly spaced button holes and being positioned for wrapping eroundthe foldedv strip to bring the button holes of the wrapped band and thestripinto'proximate align ment to receive and be retained in position by arms of a supporting device.

4. A bow-forming piece for a bow tie, comprising a strip of fabric foldable on itself to form a bow, said strip having opposite, symmetrical, fluted, longitudinal edges and having a pair of spaced button holes in a narrow portion near one end; and a knot-forming fabric band near one end secured to said strip adjacent the button holes thereof and extending laterally therefrom, said band having near its other end a pair of similarly spaced button holes and being positioned for wrapping around the folded strip to bring the button holes of the wrapped band and the strip into proximate alignment to receive and be retained in position by prongs of a supporting clip.

5. In a bow tie, a strip folded on itself to form a bow and having a pair of longitudinally spaced apertures in the last fold thereof; a knot-forming band secured to and wrapped around the folded strip, said band having a pair of spaced apertures near its free end and the apertures of the strip and band being in proximate alignment when the band is in wrapped position; and a supporting device for securing said strip and band to a collar, said device having a pair of prongs extending into the aligned apertures for holding the band and strip in their relative positions, and, said device being removable by withdrawing the prongs from the apertures whereupon the band is released and the strip unfoldable for cleaning of both.

6. In a bow tie, a thin strip of fabric having a pair of spaced button holes near one end, said strip being folded on itself to form a bow; a knotforming fabric band near one end secured to said strip adjacent the button holes thereof, said band being wrapped around the folded strip and having near its other end a pair of similarly spaced button holes which are respectively aligned with and juxtaposed to the button holes of the strip; and a clip for securing said strip and band to a collar, said clip having a pair of prongs extending respectively into the said pairs of aligned button holes for holding the band and strip in their relative postions and to the clip, and said clip being removable by withdrawing the prongs from the button holes whereupon the band may be unwrapped and the strip unfolded for cleaning of both.

7. In a bow tie, a strip of fabric having a pair of, spaced button holes near one end, said strip being folded on itself to form a bow; a knotforming fabric band near one end secured to said strip adjacent the button holes thereof, said band bein wrapped around the folded strip and having near its other end a pair of similarly spaced button holes which are respectively aligned with and juxtaposed to the button holes of the strip; and a clip for securing said strip and band to a collar, said clip having a pair of clamps for gripping the tabs of a collar, and having a pair of clamp-operating movable prongs extending respectively, into the said pairs of aligned apertures for holding the band and strip in their relative positions and to the clip, and said clip being removable by withdrawing the pongs from the buttonholes whereupon the band may be unwrapped and the strip unfolded for cleaning of both.

8. In a bow tie, a strip of fabric having opposite, symmetrical, fluted, longitudinal edges and having a pair of spaced button holes in a narrow portion near one end, said strip being folded on itself to form a bow; a knot-forming fabric band near one end secured to said strip adjacent the button holes thereof, said band being wrapped around the folded strip and having near its other end a pair of similarly spaced button holes which are respectively aligned with and juxtaposed to the button holes of the strip; and a clip for securing said strip and band to a collar, said cilp having a pair of prongs extendin respectively into the said pairs of aligned button holes for holding the band and strip in their relative positions and to the clip, and said clip being removable by withdrawing the prongs from the button holes whereupon the band may be unwrapped and the strip unfolded for cleaning of both.

' HELEN CRAMP COOKMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: I

UNITED STATES PATENTS 1 Number Name Date 850,732 Clarke Apr. 16, 1907 1,800,729 Hodges Apr. 14, 1931 

